Different Types of Asthma

ALLERGIC ASTHMA: When asthma is caused by allergies, the symptoms result from exposure to certain “triggers.”  People have a reaction to certain materials called allergens.   There are three main types of triggers:

1. Indoor Triggers:   house dust, dust mites, feathers, molds, pets, rodents,  and other animals.
2. Outdoor Triggers:  molds, pollens, grasses, and flowers. 
3. Foods:  milk, soy, eggs, additives and preservatives placed in the foods.

Skin testing helps determine which allergen(s) are bothering a person.  There is also an allergy blood test called RAST.

NON-ALLERGIC ASTHMA: Non-allergy asthma symptoms often result from an infection that settles in the chest.  Usually, these infections are caused by a virus—not by bacteria. (Remember that antibiotics don’t help viral infections.  Antibiotics only kill bacteria.)

Asthma symptoms may also come about from weather changes, cold air, exercise, and pollutants. 

Examples of pollutants include:

• Indoor Irritants:  household cleaners, household chemicals, and cigarette smoke.
• Outdoor Irritants:  ozone, carbon monoxide and strong odors such as fresh paint, mothballs, and perfumes.

MIXED-TYPE ASTHMA: People with mixed-type asthma have symptoms from a combination of allergic and non-allergic asthma  factors.

• Most people fall into this category!   They have a little of both types of asthma. 
• Mixed-type asthma makes the diagnosis even more difficult!

EXERCISE INDUCED ASTHMA: This is a very common form of asthma.

• People are free of symptoms when they are at rest.  When they run or exert themselves, asthma symptoms occur within 5 to 8 minutes. 
• Running triggers an asthma attack in 80% of children who have asthma.
• Running is the least tolerated sport for asthmatics and swimming is the best tolerated.

OCCUPATIONAL ASTHMA: This asthma results from work-related triggers.  Only 2% of people with asthma have work-related asthma. 

• Many people notice that their symptoms are better on days off from work!  This makes diagnosis difficult because the symptoms are gone by the time they get to the doctor’s office.